Hull KR at Wembley: Boss reveals Challenge Cup final preparations

HULL KR boss Chris Chester today revealed his Challenge Cup finalists have been training with music blazing out of their Craven Park home in readiness for Wembley.
Chris Chester.Chris Chester.
Chris Chester.

Only three of the Rovers squad have featured in a Challenge Cup final ahead of tomorrow’s game with the holders Leeds Rhinos.

They had a look around this afternoon - both sides were not allowed a traditional ‘Walkabout’ training session due to the pitch recently being relaid - and Chester maintained his players are relishing the occasion.

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“We’ve had a walk around and it’s an amazing stadium and it’s an amazing feeling to be involved in something like this,” he said, with Rovers playing their first such occasion since 1986.

Chris Chester.Chris Chester.
Chris Chester.

“The boys are pretty relaxed and all excited. We’ve trained this week at the KC Lightstream Stadium with a lot of music, cheering and a lot of noise.

“We know how loud it’s going to be and communication is key in this game.

“We keep talking to each other and pass those messages on and sometimes you can be lost in the noise.

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“The players know what it’s going to be like and what a challenge it is going to be. But we’re looking forward to this challenge.

“These opportunities don’t come along too often in a players’ career and we’ve got to make the most of it.”

Leeds coach named his starting line-up and bench today but Chester opted against doing likewise.

He has told his squad who will play but will wait until after their training session at Wasps RU this afternoon before deciding whether Albert Kelly, the inspirational scrum-half who hasn’t played since injurying his knee in the semi-final, will be included.

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Everyone expects the Australian to be named, however, with Ben Cockayne and either James Green or Mitch Allgood likely to drop out of the 19-man squad.

Chester added: “Albert’s picked his running up as the week’s gone on.

“We’ve got a team run today and we’ll make a call on him this afternoon. We’ll know then if he’s fit to play but we’ve practiced a few different combinations this week.”